"Senators of both parties are working together on tough new laws to prevent anyone from buying guns for resale to criminals."

Background

In the wake of the mass shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., which killed 20 children and six adults, the Obama administration crafted a plan to combat gun violence. It included a proposal to prevent an individual from buying a gun for someone who is legally barred from owning one, a practice known as a straw purchase.

Developments

March 7: The Senate Judiciary Committee, on an 11-7 vote (Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa joined the panel's 10 Democrats in supporting the measure), approves a bill that would make straw purchases of weapons a federal crime.

April 11: The Senate votes 68-31 to move forward with debate on gun legislation, cutting off a threatened GOP filibuster.

April 17: A proposal sponsored by Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt, aimed at strengthening laws against firearms trafficking fails in the Senate, 58-42; the measure needed 60 votes to move forward.

April 18: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., announces the Senate will suspend work on the gun bill and come back to it at a later time.